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The ossuary still cries out to us, as Jesus once said the stones of Jerusalem would do—and what it says is James, and what it says is Joseph, and best of all what it says is Jesus. The ossuary is just possibly the Word made visible.

Ben Witherington is professor of New Testament at Asbury Theological Seminary and coauthor, with Hershel Shanks, of The Brother of Jesus: The Dramatic Story & Meaning of the First Archaeological Link to Jesus & His Family (HarperSanFrancisco, 2003).

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Today is day two of Christianity Today's Archaeology Week.

Friday: Biblical Archaeology's Dusty Little Secret | The James bone box controversy reveals the politics beneath the science. by Gordon Govier

Tomorrow: Jesus Amidst the Ruins | How does archaeology better help us understand the Christ of the Ages?

Biblical Archaeology Review's September/October issue has the text of the IAA's summary report, along with a critique. Editor Hershel Shanks defends himself elsewhere in the issue.

Archaeology magazine takes a very dim view of the ossuary's origins.

The Royal Ontario Museum, which displayed and investigated the ossuary late last year, also has comment on the IAA's summary report.

Mark Elliott's Bible and Interpretation site compiles several other comments.

Asbury Theological Seminary has more information about Ben Witherington, who is also a columnist for Beliefnet.

Witherington's book on the ossuary, The Brother of Jesus, is available from ChristianBook.com and other book retailers.

Christianity Today's earlier coverage of the ossuary includes:

Weblog: James Ossuary Owner Arrested on Fraud and Forgery Charges (July 23, 2003)

Ossuary Questions Remain | Israel Antiquities Authority says "brother of Jesus" inscription is a forgery, but supporters say its report may be flawed (June 20, 2003)

Weblog: Israeli Officials Say James Ossuary, Joash Tablet are Fakes | Israel's Antiquities Authority unanimously calls James Ossuary inscription a forgery (June 18, 2003)

Books & Culture's Book of the Week: Oh, Brother | Most everyone agrees that the James ossuary is a significant find. Ask what it means, however … (Mar. 17, 2003)

Weblog: Israel Inspects James Ossuary, But Joash Tablet Has Disappeared (Mar. 6, 2003)

Christian History Corner: Finding God in a Box | Have archaeological discoveries like the James ossuary served or obscured the quest to verify the Bible? (Jan. 31, 2003)

Weblog: Experts Get a Closer Look at the James Ossuary (Nov. 26, 2002)

Weblog: James Ossuary Goes on Display as New Findings Emerge (Nov. 18, 2002)

Weblog: Ossuary Owner Will Go to Toronto After All (Nov. 11, 2002)

Weblog: Ossuary Owner Oded Golan Emerges to Defend Himself (Nov. 7, 2002)

Weblog: James Ossuary Display Might Be Delayed (Nov. 6, 2002)

Weblog: James Ossuary Owner Revealed, Under Fire from Israeli Government (Nov. 5, 2002)

Weblog: James Ossuary 'Badly Damaged' en Route to Toronto (Nov. 4, 2002)

Weblog: James Ossuary Contains Bone Fragments (Oct. 29, 2002)

Weblog: What Does James Ossuary Say About Mary? (Oct. 23, 2002)

Weblog: More Details Emerge on History of James's Bone Box (Oct. 22, 2002)

Stunning New Evidence that Jesus Lived | Scholars link first-century bone box to James, brother of Jesus (Oct. 21, 2002)

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October 2003, Vol. 47, No. 10